Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by CBCstillmatic

Mine came today and I finally got around to setting up. 2 questions for you other owners.

1) Has anyone received one without that card/sticker thing on the top of the player? I have seen it in all the unboxing videos but mine did not have that.

2) Is there an initial setup screen when you first turn it on? Mine went right to the home screen and I had to dig through the menus to get it connected and update. When the latest update was complete it then gave me the option to do the easy setup that I thought I would have seen when I first turned on the player.

I am just wondering if Best Buy sent me an open box item. The box was sealed and didn't have any of the Best Buy tape on it. Batteries were still sealed, the power cord and remote were in the bags with unbroken tape and even the power cord did not seam like it was used so maybe I am being paranoid but those 2 things just gave me a bit of a pause. Player works great so far.

mine came today too but I'm still at work. The box looks like a truck drove over it!!! but my wife opened it up and the player seems secure and undamaged in it's Styrofoam packing. I'll check mine out tonight and report back on the initial menu screen that I see...

[CBCstillmatic]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

mine came today too but I'm still at work. The box looks like a truck drove over it!!! but my wife opened it up and the player seems secure and undamaged in it's Styrofoam packing. I'll check mine out tonight and report back on the initial menu screen that I see...

Yeah my box wasn’t in the best shape either. Let me know if yours had that card stuck to the top of the player too. Thanks for your info.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by CBCstillmatic

Yeah my box wasn’t in the best shape either. Let me know if yours had that card stuck to the top of the player too. Thanks for your info.

okay, so I just got home and started the set-up-- I'm upgrading the firmware right now.

1] there was no card stuck to the top of the player nor was there one in the box. Maybe they were just on the first batch shipments?

2] my menu system, however, was like they show in the Youtube videos that I assume you also watched. I had the option to choose ENGLISH first, then turn off the voice control, and then easy set-up and connecting to wireless internet.

Waiting now for the firmware to update...

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by evoll

Sam10 it looks like the LG tone mapping is doing the best.

Yeah, with HDR Optimizer set to OLED and all the slider options set to 0, LG's tone mapping seems to save more bright-highlight information. You can also adjust some of those sliders in the HDR Optimizer on the Panasonic to make the tone mapping more aggressive and save more highlight information though. I compared them a few times by moving one of the sliders to higher and lower values (can't remember which one off the top of my head exactly) but at one point I basically ended up with similar results as with LG's tone mapping. I ended up deciding to simply combine Panasonic's and LG's together instead of changing the sliders from zero and just using Panasonic's though, as I feel that leaving them at zero and combining both instead made it more dynamic and will probably give better results across most discs.

[CBCstillmatic]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

okay, so I just got home and started the set-up-- I'm upgrading the firmware right now.

1] there was no card stuck to the top of the player nor was there one in the box. Maybe they were just on the first batch shipments?

2] my menu system, however, was like they show in the Youtube videos that I assume you also watched. I had the option to choose ENGLISH first, then turn off the voice control, and then easy set-up and connecting to wireless internet.

Waiting now for the firmware to update...

Thank you for getting back to me!! At least now I know I worried for nothing and I did get a new one.

[cjake]

Originally Posted by evoll

Sam10 it looks like the LG tone mapping is doing the best.

Originally Posted by samlop10

Yeah, with HDR Optimizer set to OLED and all the slider options set to 0, LG's tone mapping seems to save more bright-highlight information. You can also adjust some of those sliders in the HDR Optimizer on the Panasonic to make the tone mapping more aggressive and save more highlight information though. I compared them a few times by moving one of the sliders to higher and lower values (can't remember which one off the top of my head exactly) but at one point I basically ended up with similar results as with LG's tone mapping. I ended up deciding to simply combine Panasonic's and LG's together instead of changing the sliders from zero and just using Panasonic's though, as I feel that leaving them at zero and combining both instead made it more dynamic and will probably give better results across most discs.

Setting the HDR TV Type to OLED does nothing unless the HDR Optimizer is turned On while in HDR output mode.

If the HDR Optimizer is turned on while in HDR output mode, both the UB820 and the TV are doing tone mapping.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

@LordoftheRings, I'll follow-up further, but from what I was told the dedicated and separate power supplies for the audio and video circuits were very carefully designed to match the entire player's design and were spec'd for the UB9000's exact needs for the best performance and reliability.

I can tell you I run my UB9000 12 to 14 hrs per day 6 days a week and it's quiet, runs cool and delivers a stunning picture and audio 100% of the time. We've been using it as our main feed to 12 TVs and one projector across our entire showroom.

Robert (or anyone else), could you answer a basic question for me?

I got my 820 player last night, set it up (easy), and checked out a couple discs (and they looked very good so far)

My TV is a 2016 Samsung 8000 SUHD...

What is the best setting as far as luminance level?

I chose the recommended Middle or High Luminance but I also could choose the "Super High Luminance" level.

What is best for my specific TV?

Also, since my TV is not capable of getting HDR 10 plus (just missed it apparently), should I leave that setting to OFF (which it defaults to)? and lastly-- is there any reason why I wouldn't permanently leave the HDR OPTIMIZER setting on?
Thanks in advance!!!

[Robert Zohn]

For your TV I suggest the HDR Optimizer set to Mid Luminance. But you might want to try mid and high luminance to see which you prefer.

Yes, uncheck the HDR10+ option and always leave the HDR Optimizer on as it works for streaming and disc playback.

[CBCstillmatic]

Ok so after playing with this player for awhile I have to say it does give quite the impressive picture. It may be my imagination but I definitely feel there is something more impressive to the PQ from this player vs the X700 even with the hdr optimizer off.

One bummer is that it refuses to play half of the demo files I have loaded up on a usb stick. Not a deal breaker by any means but I have a couple Dolby demos with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos that I would throw on to demo my setup to friends and family that the X700 played fine. They are mp4 files but it plays other Sony mp4 demos fine. Same with the Samsung ts files, one will play fine the other will not.

One question I have is about high clarity sound. It was on by default but is that something I should turn off or so most leave it on? Not even sure what it does.

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by cjake

Setting the HDR TV Type to OLED does nothing unless the HDR Optimizer is turned On while in HDR output mode.

If the HDR Optimizer is turned on while in HDR output mode, both the UB820 and the TV are doing tone mapping.

Yes, I know. That’s how I tested it when I took the pictures. I thought that it was obvious so I didn’t write it out in my explanation since it’s already long enough. If you look closely at the pictures you’ll notice the tone mapping results are all different, including the Panasonic-only tone mapping one. If I hadn’t toggled the HDR Optimizer between off and on, as appropriate, the Panasonic-only tone mapping picture would have looked exactly the same as the ‘no tone mapping’ picture since like you said, just choosing the OLED option doesn’t actually turn it on.

[evan201]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

On thw 820, what are some good scenes to properly test out the White and Black Tone Curve?

And am wondering what the difference is between Super High Luv and Med/Lum?

You may consider buying the R Masciola patterns for HDR10. The download is sweet! You can play the files over USB or even Plex.

[Bigbro]

I' m having some problems with the Netflix app. On my LG tv app it starts smoothly and also on my atv 4K. When I use the Panna 9004 which I prefer because it delivers the best picture it stops loading at 20%. I have to turn of the player after I log off from Netflix. Than I have to start the player again and log in at Netflix. After that it runs smoothly. Anyone having the same problem?

[ray0414]

Originally Posted by Bigbro

I' m having some problems with the Netflix app. On my LG tv app it starts smoothly and also on my atv 4K. When I use the Panna 9004 which I prefer because it delivers the best picture it stops loading at 20%. I have to turn of the player after I log off from Netflix. Than I have to start the player again and log in at Netflix. After that it runs smoothly. Anyone having the same problem?

Been having the same problem with my Ub820. Hoping that switching to Ether net cable will solve the issue. (even though my router is only 4 feet away)

[sapiendut]

I’m having the same problem too. I can only use ethernet cable to solve it.

[LordoftheRings]

When I stream, Netflix, an Ethernet connection (plugged in) in any player/device/display is always superior to Wi-Fi. In my case, my home, even with the router @ proximity.
This is my own experience. ...From several players and years. My speakers too are wired, my headphones, my TVs, ... I'm a wired man.

[CBCstillmatic]

I know I’ve read this player is not good for network and usb file playback. Does it not support Dolby vision or Atmos demo files? I’m assuming no since they are mp4 files yet it plays all the Sony mp4 demos fine.

Also does high clarity sound affect or to be used for disc playback or is it just for hi res music or something?

[AKORIS]

so, this is my 3rd day of owning this player and while testing discs tonight I find that my HDR setting button on the remote is suddenly not working. This is the button that you hold down for a second or 2 and then you can switch from standard to bright room and such...

It simply goes to the same menu that you would have selecting OPTION on the remote where you can adjust settings but not the HDR tone mapping.

I don't know what did but I must have selected something that caused this.

Hoping that someone can help here as I really like this feature that can brighten the picture when needed.

[Bigbro]

In my initial post with regard to Netflix not loading I forgot to mention it but I do use WIRED internet. Still the problem occurs but not every time.

[Bigbro]

@Acuris: Are you sure you are trying this while a HDR 10 without the + and without DV is running. Only than the button will do what you want it to do.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by CBCstillmatic

I know I’ve read this player is not good for network and usb file playback. Does it not support Dolby vision or Atmos demo files? I’m assuming no since they are mp4 files yet it plays all the Sony mp4 demos fine.

Also does high clarity sound affect or to be used for disc playback or is it just for hi res music or something?

The Panasonics do not play files over network or USB that have lossless/high-res Dolby/DTS audio, which also rules out Atmos/DTS:X (or they may play, but with no sound). That really should be a sticky at the top of every page.